Great Methods of Training Your Dog

Becoming a dog owner means a lot of things. While you will not only have a newfound companion at your side for years to come, you will also have the responsibility of looking after your dog in a way that prioritizes their health and wellbeing. This includes training.

Training your dog takes time and patience but will be worth it in the long run for both you and your dog. Keep reading to learn great methods of training your dog.

Toilet training

One of the first bits of training you’ll want to tackle is toilet training. The new excitement of bringing a dog home can quickly deteriorate when they start going to the toilet all around your home. Don’t panic, this is an expected part of a dog becoming acclimated to his new surroundings.

The first thing you’ll want to do is look out for signs that your dog may be ready to use the toilet. Common signs include sniffing around the house, fidgeting or starting to circle. When you see your dog exhibiting this type of behaviour, do your best to get them outside as quickly as possible.

If you can, try to take your dog to the same place each time to avoid any confusion. Once they have finished going to the toilet, reward them straight away.

Lead training

One of the most exciting parts of you and your dog’s day is your daily walk. Dogs need lots of exercise. If your dog isn’t getting the exercise they need, they may feel cooped up indoors and start to act out. Don’t mistake this for bad behaviour. They simply need to exert themselves! This is where walks come in handy.

If you’re dealing with a puppy or an older dog who hasn’t gone on walks before, you’ll need to teach them how to walk on a lead. Take your dog outside when it’s not too busy to limit potential distractions. Simply start walking with them on the lead. If your dog starts to pull, stop walking and command them to sit. They may protest a bit at first. That’s to be expected! Once they sit down make sure you reward them straight away with natural dog treats from Wild Thought. They will soon understand what’s okay and what’s not okay when it comes to daily walks.

Good luck with your training!

While dog training takes time, it’s completely worth it in the end. Make sure you reward positive behaviours with lots of praise and natural dog treats. They’ll pick up your newfound training techniques in no time!